Definitions

devil's advocate

[dev-uhlz ad-vuh-kit] / ˈdɛv əlz ˈæd və kɪt /

NOUN

mediator

Synonyms

WEAK

apologist pleader polemicist sophist

NOUN

opponent for the sake of it

Synonyms

WEAK

apologist defender mediator polemicist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In her first SCiLL class, Allen said, “There were definitely people who’d signed up to play devil’s advocate in what they assumed would be a conservative class.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

Playing devil’s advocate: He may be responding to a new person in his home who is being kind and helpful.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 1, 2025

News website Ukrayinska Pravda even called him "the devil's advocate".

From BBC • May 24, 2025

For example, they are allowed to make an educational point by playing devil’s advocate in a class debate on contemporary American politics.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2024

He never played devil’s advocate or told me what I was feeling was wrong, the way Stephen Kellner did.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram